Sorghum is a Poaceae family plant that produces a lot of hay. A field experiment was carried out at the University of Thessaly’s experimental farm to investigate the hay yield and quality characteristics of six different sorghum varieties (V1: Buffalo grain, V2: Elite, V3: Big Kahuna, V4: 25K1009, V5: 4264, and V6: 5D61) under different nitrogen fertilization levels (N₁: 0, N₂: 80, N₃: 160, and N₄: 240 kg ha⁻¹, using urinary ammonia 40-0-0). Pea for silage production was established in the same field prior to sorghum cultivation. Hay yield was found to differ significantly between the tested varieties and was also influenced by nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilization has a statistically significant effect on sorghum production, with a higher nitrogen supply contributing to a higher protein content in the sorghum yield. Other hay quality indicators, such as ash, NDF, and ADF, demonstrated differences between the different varieties and nitrogen fertilizer levels. According to the study, the variety that had stable output was “Elite”, which had good quality attributes and could be used as an alternative to feed production before sorghum development.

Maize is an important crop grown on significant acreage around the world, and a major constraint for its growth is weed interference. Thus, field studies were conducted to examine johnsongrass interference, control, and recovery under different management practices and its effects on maize. Our results indicated that the most johnsongrass aboveground biomass was recorded in the nontreated and weed-infested for 55 days after sowing (DAS) treatments, while the lowest values were in nicosulfuron treatments (48 and 60 g a.i./ha). Among the various herbicide treatments, the greatest johnsongrass aboveground biomass was recorded in the isoxaflutole (applied pre-emergence at 99 g a.i./ha) + 1 hoeing treatment. Johnsongrass aboveground biomass at 78–85 DAS was 1.4- to 6.0-fold greater than that at 55 DAS, revealing johnsongrass recovery after nicosulfuron treatments. Johnsongrass competition had a significant impact on maize growth and grain yield. The main crop parameters, such as aboveground biomass, grain yield, and protein content, were lowest in the nontreated and weed-infested for 55 DAS treatments, while the greatest values of these parameters were recorded in the weed-free and nicosulfuron treatments. In conclusion, our results indicated that timely and effective chemical control of johnsongrass is essential for improving grain yield and quality of maize.

Hemp is a multipurpose crop that produces high amounts of lignocellulosic biomass. There are few studies dealing with hemp’s biomass production (lignocellulosic and fiber) under cropping strategies such as irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess the effect of irrigation and N-fertilization on the lignocellulosic biomass of one of the most well-known industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) varieties worldwide (Felina 32) under a typical Mediterranean climate. For the purposes of this study, a field experiment was conducted in central Greece (Thessaly region) over the cultivating years 2022 and 2023. We determined the produced biomass dry yield and the dry biomass yield vs. N-uptake relation, as well as quality characteristics for hemp (cv. Felina 32) under three irrigation (I1: 33%, I2: 66%, and I3: 100% ETo) and three N-fertilization levels (N1: 0, N2: 70, and N3: 140 kg ha⁻¹). A significant difference in the dry biomass yield was found, ranging between 10–11.2 t ha⁻¹ using I2 and/or I3 irrigation levels and remaining at 8.6 t ha⁻¹ with lower irrigation (I1). In terms of fertilization factor, it appeared that in samplings where statistically significant changes were observed, all degrees of fertilization differed from one another, with the N3 treatment exhibiting the highest production (11.4 t ha⁻¹). The average protein content varied between 10% in 2023 and 14% in 2023. A linear biomass yield–nutrient uptake relationship was found with high R², pointing to a nitrogen use efficiency of 55.15 kg kg⁻¹. Thus, it would seem that nitrogen fertilization and irrigation are both crucial factors of industrial hemp cultivation, helping to raise the crop’s overall yield of lignocellulosic biomass. The introduction of hemp into land-use systems necessitates thorough evaluation, as hemp shows considerable potential as a crop that can yield substantial quantities of above-ground biomass (lignocellulosic: stems and fibers). This is especially true in regions where irrigation is possible, and the application of nitrogen fertilizers can further enhance these yields.

Ocimum basilicum is an herbaceous plant, rich in essential oils. This research represents a groundbreaking exploration of the cultivation of Ocimum basilicum in Greece, a Mediterranean nation. It emphasizes the impact of biostimulants on various basil varieties, assessing both quantitative aspects and qualitative features. This study was conducted through a field trial at the University of Thessaly’s experimental farm located in the Velestino region. This study examined different testing varieties (V1: Lemon, V2: Siam Queen, V3: Salat, V4: Bascuro, and V5: Genovese), under different biostimulant applications (B1: control, B2: seaweed extracts, amino acids, vitamins, trace elements, polyphenols, antioxidants and mannitol; B3: plant amino acids, glutamic and aspartic acid, vitamins and other nutrients, B4: B1 and B2 combination in a 1:1 ratio). The findings highlight the significant differences in both fresh and dry yields across various basil cultivars, with Lemon basil demonstrating the most substantial yields. Specifically, the Lemon variety attained the highest dry yield, surpassing the lowest-performing cultivar by more than two times. Additionally, this research evaluated the production of essential oil per hectare, emphasizing the relationship between essential oil content and the crop’s dry yield. The results revealed considerable variability among the examined varieties, with the Lemon variety yielding nearly 65 kg ha⁻¹, the highest among them. Biostimulant treatments (B2) led to the greatest total yields of essential oils, while the control treatments yielded the least. The chemical composition of essential oils derived from O. basilicum shows significant variability, often associated with the plants’ nutritional conditions. The application of biostimulants has led to considerable alterations in the volatile profile of sweet basil, supporting this study’s conclusions.

Nowadays, the lack of cattle feed, particularly green fodder, has become a key limiting factor in the agricultural economy. Switchgrass appears to offer a viable solution to the feed shortage. An improved cultivation practice might be needed to boost switchgrass forage production all season long. This study was conducted to quantify the positive effects of introducing different legume crops (vetch and pea), optimally fertilized, on the production and quality of mixed harvested switchgrass–legumes hay in late spring (May) and switchgrass hay harvested once more in early fall (September). The studied intercropping systems, independently of the legume species used, increased forage productivity (almost threefold), reaching 7.5 t ha⁻¹ and quality characteristics, with protein content almost rising threefold, reaching 12.5%. The aforementioned practice can assist the perennial crop (switchgrass) in providing a high hay production during the early fall harvest, even without fertilization. The overall annual economic benefit for the farmers may be increased by 90–720 € per ha, depending on the prevailing weather conditions. Overall, it may be concluded that the suggested cropping system produces a significantly higher yield of cattle feed compared to traditional monocultures, improving the agricultural economy while reducing the negative effects of modern agriculture on the environment.